Packing Cubes

murphy · Guru

Packing Cubes

Michele Erdvig · Host

I've used those things like huge baggies where you zip the top and roll the clothes to get all the air out. I don't really know if they saved room or not and they didn't really thrill me. Now I am back to just putting stuff in my suitcase. Let us know how you like the cubes.

murphy · Guru

I have considered that type of packing cube in the past also, and while it may be ok for socks and under garments, I think it would make a lot of wrinkles in outer wear garments.

The type of packing cubes I purchased have a 2" wide mesh vent panel so that allows the pouch to have the air squeezed out to flatten out as much as possible. I think if you wanted to be able to squeeze all the air out and then seal it, a 2 gallon zip lock bag would do that trick.

I am hoping that the MAIN advantage to the cubes we got, is to help keep different types of clothing from getting all mixed up in the suitcase.

Also, often times, there isn't enough room to have all the luggage located in a convenient spot at the accommodation and some of them end up scattered at various places around the room on the floor. I THINK it might be easier to go to the hanging wardrobe area to access the 4 pouches in a vertical position, rather than the hands and knees operation that I usually end up going thru! Time will tell, and we will definitely let everyone know how it works out!

Dan

Roy · Guru

Looking forward to your review!

murphy · Guru

I said I would let everyone know how the packing cubes worked out. Will do so, in case it was missed in my long winded trip report! They ARE the real deal for us. We have used them for 4 longer trips now, 2 overseas trips and 2 stateside. We like them for the organizational aspect of packing. Doesn't seem to give you more total cubic inches of room since they are not the vacuum sealed type. The clothing is not any more or less wrinkled either. But it does require that you fold the articles of clothing to fit the size of the packing cube. All 4 are pretty much the same width and length. It is the depth that varies so we put the lighter and smaller articles in the shallow bags, and the tops/bottoms of outerwear in the bigger bag. The largest bag is labeled for laundry, but I use that one for pants and use 2 gallon zip lock bags to seal the dirty clothes in. I found if you roll the pants from the bottom up to the waist they fit nicely for the most part in the largest bag. Then it is a simple matter of putting the 4 packing cubes in the legal carry-on size roller bag, In two stacks of two. I Don't put outer layers (sweaters, coats, raincoats) in packing cubes,but they, along with shoes/slippers go in first with the packing cubes on top. It makes for a very organized suitcase!
Regards
Dan

Michele Erdvig · Host

Thanks for the update on the packing cubes.

Roy · Guru

I've used the big baggie type bag like you described Michele. I think they do save save space. Here's an intriguing option: Eagle Creek Pack-It Specter Compression Cube Set.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Here is a link to what Roy mentioned: http://shop.eaglecreek.com/packit-specter-compression-cube-set/d/1281 When I pack I tend to put smaller items like socks, underwear, etc. into zip-lock bags and then into my suitcase. The packing cubes (why do they call them cubes?) seem like a more expensive option for keeping organized while traveling.

Roy · Guru

Michele Erdvig wrote:
Here is a link to what Roy mentioned: http://shop.eaglecreek.com/packit-specter-compression-cube-set/d/1281 When I pack I tend to put smaller items like socks, underwear, etc. into zip-lock bags and then into my suitcase. The packing cubes (why do they call them cubes?) seem like a more expensive option for keeping organized while traveling.

These do seem pricey!

murphy · Guru

Just a comment or 2 regarding the ongoing discussion of packing cubes. I see the Eagle Creek cubes are compression cubes, probably why they are so pricy. The "GreatUsefulStuff" variety are not. They are more or less just a great suitcase organizer. They have a mesh panel so are easy to compress using the compression straps that are already in most roller bags. I noticed that these have increased in price too. A set of 4 is $34.95 regular price. On their websight they do have a tab for "sale items". If you are not in a hurry to purchase, they may show up there on sale some day. When we purchased, they were considerably less, and they had a deal: buy 2 sets and get the 3rd set free. (Total around $60) For us, it is one of the better travel investments we have made recently. We especially like the clothes hangar Velcro loup that allows you to hang the cubes in the closet! I also noticed they have different colors now and include 6 removable clothing labels. Regards Dan

Michele Erdvig · Host

Thanks for the additional info Dan.